<p>Some unwanted history is looming for the West Coast Eagles on Saturday evening at Optus Stadium.</p> <p>If they can’t find a way past the Sydney Swans and finish the season with just their second win, the Eagles will join a very grim group. Barring GWS in their second year, they’d become the first team since Fitzroy in 1996—and the Swans themselves in 1993—to go through an entire season with just one solitary victory.</p> <p>Thanks to the extended season these days, the Eagles already hold the unfortunate title of most losses in a single AFL season. That stat alone makes this clash with Sydney one they have to win. For a club of West Coast’s stature, it’s about saving some face—and maybe putting a symbolic line in the sand.</p> <p>Last Sunday, the result was as expected: the Bulldogs steamrolled them at Marvel. It was over before most had even found their seats. Another brutal reminder of where the club is at.</p> <p>The Swans haven’t been setting the world on fire either. After a hot start against Geelong last week, they ran out of steam and were eventually brushed aside by one of the flag favourites. It’s been the story of their season—slow out of the blocks early in the year, only to hit some form too late. Still, they’ve proven themselves the "best of the rest" in this lopsided 2025 competition and will be keen to finish on a strong note.</p> <p>Is there a little extra meaning in this one for Dean Cox? Coaching against the club where he became a legend—and the same club he once turned down the chance to coach? Maybe, maybe not. But hey, we’re trying to find some angle here to spice up a game that, for neutrals, might not be jumping off the page.</p> <p>Really, all eyes are on the West Coast. Can they avoid the kind of history no club wants to be part of? Maybe, just maybe, this becomes the point they’ll look back on as the bottom—rock bottom—and from here, the only way is up.</p> <p>Let’s hope so. The competition is better with a strong West Coast.</p> <p>At selection, the Eagles could regain Tom Gross, who missed the Dogs game with a calf issue. Jack Hutchison will face a fitness test after sitting out the past two weeks.<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>For Sydney, Brodie Grundy should return after missing last week under concussion protocols. Youngsters Matt Roberts and Corey Warner both dominated at the VFL level on the weekend and will be pushing for a senior call-up.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Eagles vs Swans prediction and preview below.</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Sydney Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>West Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Reuben Ginbey, Sandy Brock, Tom McCarthy</p> <p>HB: Liam Baker, Rhett Bazzo, Tom Cole</p> <p>C: Clay Hall, Elijah Hewett, Jack Hutchison</p> <p>HF: Jack Graham, Bailey Williams, Ryan Maric</p> <p>F: Liam Ryan, Jobe Shanahan, Jamie Cripps</p> <p>Foll: Matt Flynn, Brady Hough, Tim Kelly</p> <p>Int: Tyler Brockman, Campbell Chesser, Hamis Davis, Tom Gross, Malakai Champion</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sydney Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Harry Cunningham, Lewis Melican, Nick Blakey</p> <p>HB: Callum Mills, Tom McCartin, Sam Wicks</p> <p>C: Ollie Florent, Chad Warner, Jake Lloyd</p> <p>HF: Tom Papley, Jack Buller, James Jordon</p> <p>F: Will Hayward, Hayden McLean, Braeden Campbell</p> <p>Foll: Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney, Erroll Gulden</p> <p>Int: Dane Rampe, Angus Sheldrick, James Rowbottom, Matt Roberts, Caiden Cleary</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Sydney Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Swans, like most clubs, hold sway in the recent head-to-head against the Eagles.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a quirk of the fixture, this will be the first time this season that these clubs meet, having only met once a year in the past three seasons.&nbsp;</p> <p>As much as we all want West Coast to avoid some unwanted history, we think the Swans get the job done here and quite comfortably.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-sydney-swans-9504818">Swans</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>He teased the Eagles fans with his flirtations of returning home at the end of the year, but Chad Warner’s decision to re-sign with the Swans was an early setback for the Eagles in their bid to get better quickly.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now, to rub it in even further, we’re picking him to get the first goal here. Just because the Eagles fans haven’t been hurt enough this year.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-sydney-swans-9504818">Chad Warner</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>It’s been a frustrating year for the Swans skipper, Callum Mills. A campaign derailed by injuries and suspensions, the struggle for continuity has been real.&nbsp;</p> <p>A strong performance last week against the Cats, he might eye off some time on-ball here against the Eagles in a bid to launch into next season back in his midfield role.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-sydney-swans-9504818">Callum Mills 25+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, August 23, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:35 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Optus Stadium, Perth</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>